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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATLANTA, December 1, 2025
Southern Legal Center for Youth (SLCY) is proud to announce a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to support its Youth Homelessness Program, which is the only program of its kind in Georgia. This funding will enable the organization to expand its legal services and outreach efforts for young people experiencing housing instability across metro Atlanta.
“Access to safe and stable housing is a fundamental right, yet far too many young people face homelessness because of legal barriers that can be prevented with early intervention from an attorney,” said Liz Harding Chao, Executive Director of Southern Legal Center for Youth. “At least 3,300 youth and young adults experience homelessness on any given night in metro Atlanta. This generous grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will allow us to provide critical legal assistance to help youth and young adults navigate complex housing challenges and secure long-term stability.”
The program provides legal guidance, advocacy, and connections to supportive resources for young people aged 12-24 years old who are without their parents and facing eviction, unsafe living conditions, and other housing-related legal issues. With the support of this grant, SLCY will be able to:
Expand eviction prevention legal representation for young adults, especially in metro counties outside of Fulton County where legal resources are much more limited
Continue providing critical, free legal representation to young people for civil legal matters that are affecting their housing stability
Increase outreach to unhoused and at-risk youth across the Greater Atlanta area
Strengthen partnerships with local organizations addressing youth homelessness
“The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta is committed to supporting innovative programs that create meaningful change for vulnerable populations,” said Sarah Kirsch, Managing Director of Housing Funds for the Community Foundation. “We are proud to support Southern Legal Center for Youth’s efforts to ensure that young people in our community have access to safe and stable housing and the legal resources they need to thrive.”
This funding marks an important step in addressing the pressing issue of youth homelessness in Atlanta and reflects a shared commitment to providing youth with the resources they need to overcome barriers to stable housing and build brighter futures.
About Southern Legal Center for Youth:
SLCY is the first legal aid organization in the Southern United States to focus on young people aged 12-24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness without their parents or guardians. Our mission is to support the health, safety, stability, and education of young people in the South by advancing their legal rights. Founded in 2023, SLCY was created to provide young people with the legal advocacy needed to navigate complex systems that were not designed for them. Through our Youth Homelessness Program and Shelter Rights Project, we collaborate with local partners to remove legal barriers to shelter and housing, thereby preventing and ending youth homelessness. We also address the political determinants of health through our grassroots, youth-developed and led leadership pipeline, Southern Kiki Leaders Collective (SKLC). SKLC supports youth across the South through culturally relevant health advocacy and systems navigation.
About the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta:
Since 1951, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta has been leading and inspiring
philanthropy to increase the vitality of our region and the well-being of all residents. With more than 70 years serving the Atlanta region and a robust team of experts, the Community Foundation expands its philanthropic reach and impact by providing quality services to donors and bold, innovative community leadership committed to equity and shared prosperity. The Community Foundation is a top-20 community foundation among 800 nationally, with approximately $1.6 billion in current assets, and is Georgia’s second largest foundation. For more information, visit: cfgreateratlanta.org or connect with the Foundation via Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Liz Harding Chao
Executive Director
Southern Legal Center for Youth
Ph: (404) 436-0873
Email: liz@slcy.org
Website: https://slcy.org/
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